Local agencies that oversee museums, arts exhibits and fitness services say their revenues are declining in a floundering economy, with one cash-strapped attraction cutting operating hours, freezing wages and warning of potential layoffs.

City hall’s annual report on its civic partners, from science attractions to economic agencies, says donations and ticket sales are sagging as corporations and consumers tighten their purse strings in the face of low oil prices.

The outlook appears especially bleak for Heritage Park, which suffered a 30 per cent drop in food and beverage revenues last year after oil and gas companies cut back on banquets. The tourism destination cancelled wage increases, declined to fill eight staff vacancies and curtailed operating hours.

“Down the road there is a possibility (of layoffs), but right now we’re doing everything we can to avoid that,” said Alida Visbach, president and chief executive of the park, which relies on food and beverage operations for 45 per cent of its revenue.

“But if it keeps raining like this, it’s not very encouraging. Weather impacts our attendance big time in the summer months.”

Other agencies that have a partnership with city hall reported economic pain, though perhaps not as pronounced as the financial stress at Heritage Park.

At the Calgary Zoo, for instance, revenues increased by four per cent last year, up to more than $40 million. But the attraction reported a nine per cent drop in attendance at special events as corporate clients scaled back or cancelled spending.

Telus Spark expects its corporate donations will come in $400,000 lower than anticipated in 2016, with even greater declines projected for the next two years.

The science centre forecasts these shortfalls will be covered by increased attendance for travelling exhibits, such as Body Worlds, which opened in January and features real human bodies donated to science.

But Telus Spark warns in the annual report that “shortfalls in attendance expectations may push us back into deficit unless additional donations or grants can be realized.”

In the report, civic agencies report that if their grants from city hall are cut, they’d be forced to consider austerity measures, such as cutting staff and programs, and increasing fees.

Coun. Richard Pootmans said it’s too early to confirm whether these groups will see their grants reduced. He said council faces tough decisions ahead as revenue-generating agencies, such as Calgary Transit, report shortfalls, while social agencies face higher demands for their services, including domestic violence outreach.

“Do we make sure that we look after the most disadvantaged first? That would be one of my priorities, and really make sure that those most in need get looked after,” Pootmans said. “Beyond that, I’m not sure what we would do.”

Talisman Centre’s operating revenues are down by roughly five per cent over last year, likely the result of good weather, which keeps people outdoors, and the sluggish economy, according to its top executive.

Jeff Booke, the fitness centre’s CEO, said the revenue drop isn’t massive but it’s noticeable, forcing management to find savings by cutting costs and looking for ways to increase revenue. A fitness instructor will run a new group training program this summer, for instance.

“We’re not talking about anything drastic at this point; I don’t see that in our cycle,” Booke said. “We’re really having conversations about managing.”

At Heritage Park, the conversations are much more grim. In most summers, the park holds two or three major events — for between 500 and 1,200 people — every week. Last summer, as oil and gas companies scaled back spending, the park hosted one every couple of weeks.

Even the City of Calgary has curtailed spending on major events, such as employee recognition banquets.

“It hasn’t recovered yet. We’re not seeing the bookings,” Visbach said. “Private bookings, like weddings and smaller meetings, we’re seeing those, but the big tent events with 1,000 people, they’re just not happening. We have a few of them, but just not like we used to.”

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